Homeschooling

[Nancy]

I was wondering how many here homeschool, and the reasons why?

Nancy

[Jo Ann]

hi nancy! my husband and i homeschool our kids. we were not satisfied with the regular school our kids went to plus we had this strong desire to create a strong bond with our kids. we got introduce to homeschooling and we like what we heared and saw. we gave it a try, we loved it and there is no turning back!

[Audrey]

Nancy,

I always chose public school but wih lots of involvement from me. For me, that's what worked.

[emsplace]

I think homeschooling is fantastic, especially since there are associations, and activities now, and even field trips geared to homeschoolers. There are usually networks where other moms could pick up the slack say in MATH where I lack... I could arrange for my son to be homeschooled in MATH by another mom.

I have to go back to work, since we are separating. And I am not a fan of public school. We will likely try to do Private if we can continue to afford it. Private is not always better. More of a personal preference thing.

[Aimee]

I thought about homeschooling my oldest, but then realized that I need a break during the day, and he would love to have friends at school etc....

I only thought about doing it because I was worried about what went on at school/how kids would treat him etc...

[Mom2ConnorRyan]

We have thought about it but realized that that our son needs to socialize with other children more.  Our next option is private school.  We also happen to have a very great public school system in our county so we will see. 

[Nancy]

The reason I was asking is that I really don't understand the reasons for people wanting to homeschool their children.  I know the problems that can arise at public or private schools and I know that mothers cannot always be involved at school with their children.  But I wondered about how you all felt about the socialization of the children. 

I have always felt children need  to interact and learn to get along with all types of people.  Even those who are bullies, as they do not go away as they get older. 

All three of my sons are ADD.  One is HDAD, dyslexia, and speech and language issues, without the special education he had as a child, it is highly doubtful he would be where he is today as I was so busy with the other three that I never realized until it was pointed out by a teacher that there was a problem. I would not have recognized all his learning problems.   His pediatrician didn't even recognize it.  We were fortunate to have a very good school system in our community.

So with that in mind and a friend pulling her daughter out of school after one week to homeschool her, I wanted to understand it a little more.

[emsplace]

Honestly children are very social who homeschool - typically!
Most states have home school associations/moms groups and all kinds of activities.

I think homeschooling is an excellent way to go. And in so many places it is becoming so popular.  Here is a great site from Virginia http://www.heav.org/  . I think that homeschooling is entirely personal and I am so happy folks have the choice to do so if they can. I would if I could... but it isn't an option for me. I have to work.

So anyway... there are lots of educational sites out there. It may be hard to understand unless you do it.
em

[Jo Ann]

Hi Nancy! We have been homeschooling for three months now and I do not see any problem with socialization. In fact, my daughter is more confident now and is no longer as shy as she was before. I am not saying she was shy before because of her regular school. What I am saying is now that I was able to spend more time with her, I understood her more, was able to address her social skills. She now has a higher level of self-esteem and she deals with other people really great.

With homeschooling, we go to a lot of places and my kids are enrolled in special classes like swimming and music lessons. It is where they interact with other people. And my kids are always praised for being polite and respectful. But don't picture them as timid and quiet that's why they are tagged as polite and respectful. They are also just like any other kids - who play, shouts, fight with each other, run around, etc... But it is very evident that their values are grounded.

[Nancy]

Thank you all for your insights and opinions.  Education is something I have been involved in one way or another since before my children were born. I want to learn more about homeschooling, so that I can have an intelligent conversation about it. 

When the subject of homeschooling comes up in conversations, I felt that I did not understand fully.  I guess I am old-school, and had a hard time appreciating the concept even though it is not a new one.  Parents have been homeschooling their children for centuries.  We have been so indoctrinated in this society to think only one way of education, that it is sometimes hard for us "old" folks to grasp a new concept. 

The site the em posted is a great one for understanding more and I appreciate it. 

Thanks to all of you for your comments, they were appreciated.

[emsplace]

Glad it helped lady!

[michellesamom]

We are about to start home schooling. I'm just gathering information now. I don't intend to home school her as she gets older, I will send her to public school, but she is ready to start learning and loves it. She is not potty trained yet, so they will not accept her in the preschool program in my area.
She does very well with routines, so I'm creating a "classroom" at home for her as well as planning educational activities outside the house. I lead a mom's group (so she has lots of friends from that), we have signed up for a program at a local Botanical Gardens for the fall, we're doing swimming lessons and I will probably sign her up for French music and Gymboree as well.
I wouldn't rule it out as she gets older, but I'd like to see how she handles public school first because of the diverse experiences she will have there. For now though, homeschooling is a project that I'm excited about.

[Danielle]

I have also considered home school. I am a little .. If I could do it.. I have one child who is greatly gifted, and  another child who needs somewhat help in some areas.. we have dicussed the pros and cons of home school vs. public school... our school system is extremely great and we love where our children go.. we have no compliants.. I worry about social skills as well as individual growth. Are they ready for this, what about thier interaction with others and could I really teach them
 what is required? But with many prayers, we have decided to hold off, maybe till jr. high or private school. I just want to do what is right. Home school works for some, and not for some. I would mainly home school for religious reasons, and for there are some things I don't want my chidlren to be around. BUT we can't shelter them from the real world. I am a realist. It is what it is. It is my job as a parent to lead them in the right direction. I can show and tell them the right thing to do. Let them know that there are precustions for every action. They understand that they are responsible for choices they make.I can only teach them, what they do with my advice and parenting skills is up to them, I cannot live and I won't live thier lives for them.. Does that make sense?

[emsplace]

It's funny Danielle.... I was just in a Bible study where the teacher explained "sheltering" vs "insulating". I believe as children we should teach them the values we want. Yes, teach them others study different things. Teach them that you don't have the right to JUDGE. But we do have the right to make good choices for our children and encourage them to hang out with children with the same value system as us.
Even in private Christian schools children make mistakes and get into trouble. But there are lots of things I don't want my son exposed to for personal reasons or that I reserve the right to explain to him the way WE believe... Plus, we insist on yes ma'am/no sir and good manners - which is so lacking these days... and he doesn't watch age innapropriate movies or stay up late or even eat a lot of junk food which lots of his little friends do. But he is just in Kindergarten... I can't imagine what some of these children will do by 5th grade. lol
Anyway... every parent does what is best. There is absolutely NOTHING wrong with insulating your child and giving him the protective coating he needs in terms of the Word and prayer, and a great foundation that we don't want others to mess up - and deter him/her from until he/she is old enough to discern and say "sorry, that isn't my way"...

[Danielle]

The more I think about it, the more I am leaning towards home school.. There are soo many things that I don't want my children to see or be involved with..  I am still about it! I guess I am .. of getting out of my comfort zone... know what I mean??